Muffling the bell of confusion

The Nigerian economy has been technically on ‘recess’ since May 29 despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration promise of speedy economic regeneration. The President promised Nigerians that he would name his cabinet not later than two weeks after his inauguration. But power play among the different categories of interest groups has virtually stalled governance for about a month in a country that is in need of urgent economic ‘deliverance.’

The most powerful of the groups, I gather, have been taking their three square meals in the Aso Rock Villa, since Jonathan was sworn in as Nigeria’s President, ostensibly to outplay less influential groups in the game of wits that has eventually produced an unimpressive cabinet list.

I am one of the many Nigerians, who believed in the continuation of the Jonathan Presidency. Not because he was the most qualified candidate to take Nigeria through the thorny growth path, but because his one year administration succeeded with some reform ‘abracadabra’ that looked real enough for continuity.

The power sector reform roadmap, Presidential summit on job creation, bail-out packages for troubled critical sectors, sovereign wealth fund initiative and the President’s policy of non-intervention in controversial elections and finance-related court cases, among others, were mouth-watering administrative appetisers that called for the main meal.

The continuity of these initiatives, which, as expected, formed the nucleus of Jonathan’s campaign, was the main consideration for many intellectuals, who shunned sentiments and family ties to see the President through with their votes. There were early signs, after the successful elections, that the President might have given too much room for economic lightweights to dictate the pace in an environment filled with first-rate reformers. But some of us waited patiently for him to score his first extraordinary goal with a star cabinet in a governance match that has world intellectuals as viewers.

Concerned analysts also wrote series of letters to the President to influence his choice of ministers in a way that would help him avoid the error of picking the same old clueless hands that had stalled economic growth at the take-off stage for donkey’s years.

Unfortunately, not only has the list being circulated in the media embarrassed well-meaning Jonathan apologists; it has also shown that while the economy should have benefitted from 13 days of brainstorming, pre-inauguration, the resource-gulping victory luncheons and dinners only triggered bells of confusion.

It is common knowledge that some hypocritical corporate sector players have been working very hard to ensure that they continue to sabotage growth efforts that can expose their ‘featherweights’. But the fact that party leaders, who should see to the success of elected leaders, have also presented themselves as worthy candidates in the sharing of a free-for-the-powerful national cake calls for serious national rethinking.

I am tempted to name some laggards that have reportedly found their ways into Jonathan’s long-awaited ministerial list, and enumerate why some pointless last-minute inclusions in the list may spell disaster. But I would rather leave that for another day lest I spoil this Monday morning for their loved ones, who hold them in high esteem.

Yes, the President must, in line with Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution, constitute his cabinet to reflect the Federal Character principle. But he should have learnt from the United States President, Barack Obama, during his visit to the White House that sound cabinet choices are better made when lobbyists are far away, and with the help of unbiased watchers of a country’s affairs.

Prompt cabinet formation presents a leader as one who is battle ready to confront daunting economic challenges with the aim of achieving remarkable results within a short period. It shows that the leader has taken time to study the country’s peculiar problems and has formed a mental picture of the kind of team he needs to make a change.

Leaders in other climes have scored early points by being proactive. Obama, for instance, formed his star cabinet weeks before he was sworn in as President in January 2009; President Jacob Zuma of South Africa unveiled his ministers a day after his inauguration in May 2009, while Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard named her cabinet four days after returning to power in September 2010.

In climes like that, one seldom hears excuses such as inadequate time to right key wrongs; their governments swing into result-seeking actions immediately after being elected. And because merit usually outshines political considerations in cabinet matters and appointments are not based on who you know but what you can do, cabinet constitution is usually faster and smarter.

In the current Nigerian situation, apart from about three performers on the list that may go to the Senate tomorrow, the only other name that can give credibility to the new cabinet is Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. As the Managing Director of the World Bank, and a former Nigerian finance minister, who helped to strike the debt relief deal with Nigeria’s creditors, she has the right credentials to give policy thinking the necessary boost. But can three or four people do the work out of a pack of clueless ministers? How well has Okonjo-Iweala learnt to turn statistical growth into food on the tables of over 100 million Nigerians living below the poverty level? Are there no other outstanding Nigerian brains within and outside the country, who can be called to rescue their country from the seemingly unending economic misery? Must the Nigerian economy depend only on a few influential people when universities at home and abroad have been producing millions of world class Nigerian professionals since independence? These are some of the basic questions that can only be answered through a periodic conference that seeks to dig out potential Nigerian reformers. If Nigeria must grow in double digits as is being touted, cabinet shirts must be the exclusive preserve of professionals who know their onions.

Some people have advised Nigerians not to expect any magic in the next four years, mainly as a result of the messy handling of the ministerial matter and the thickening air of insecurity around the country. But I’m optimistic that the listening ear of Mr. President is a valuable asset that can correct the anomalies in the system before it is too late.

To muffle the lingering bell of confusion, the President must immediately chase sycophants in the name of friends away from the Aso Rock Villa and concentrate on the huge task of living up to the citizens’ expectation. Though it may be too late to right some wrongs on the ministerial list, waiting to kick slackers out after one year of non-performance won’t be a bad idea.